Black cloud looms over public sector as Bank renews pension concerns
The Bank of England has become the latest organisation to axe its final salary pension scheme.The move, designed to plug its £300 million deficit, has sparked concerns amongst other public sector outfits that they are next in the queue.The story reported in The Times is attributed to a leaked internal memo which is said to […]
Skills broadcast paves way for cultural shift
A new campaign, launched this week, urging people to take control of their future by investing in skills is being heralded as the biggest of its kind.Splashed across national and local television, radio, print and online media, the campaign, Our future. It’s in our hands is being driven by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) […]
Ask the expert: Annual leave request refused
This week, Esther Smith, partner at Thomas Eggar, and Martin Brewer, partner and employment law specialist at Mills & Reeve, advise on what to do when an employee has used up all their annual leave entitlement, so has the holiday request refused, and then makes it known they plan to take the week off sick […]
‘Green’ career boom grips environmental generation
A green career is the new growth area with 35,000 predicted to work in environmentally-friendly industries by 2020.The figures released by the Department of Trade and Industry reveal a niche growth area that looks set to spiral over the next decade. The mood is being sparked by younger workers, with one in ten aged 18-24 […]
Creativity at work: How to generate great ideas. By Peter Cook
Ever wondered how to be more creative at work? In this article, HR Zone member Peter Cook looks at some well-known examples of creativity that you can replicate or adapt from some great creators to help your business become more innovative. In my book ‘Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll’, I argue that both structure and creativity […]
Managing absence at work. By Sandra Beale
Consultant and HR Zone member Sandra Beale offers her advice on how to manage absenteeism and what policies and procedures you can put in place to ensure employees don’t “pull a sickie”. According to the latest CIPD research, absence costs on average £598 per employee per year in the UK. If totalled up this represents […]
Flexibility is key to success. By Lucie Benson
Those organisations that offer flexible working to their staff may find that it increases recruitment and retention rates, and creates a more loyal and productive workforce. Lucie Benson speaks to HR Zone members to find out whether all staff should have the right to request flexible working. If you want to stay ahead of the […]
All guns blazing: Mopping up the casualties of change. By Annie Hayes
Blighted by Chinese whispers, poorly executed plans and bad management, change initiatives can often end up damaging that most fragile of things – trust – the glue so very important for marriages, teeth extractions and employee engagement. Annie Hayes reports on how organisations can achieve their goals and keep staff smiling. The challenge of change […]
Work/life balance is uneven for HR
HR professionals are over-worked and unhappy, according to new research.The Employment Attitudes survey by Hydrogen, a group of specialist recruitment consultancies, examined demand and supply pressures affecting recruitment markets across a range of industries, including financial, legal, HR, and IT.It found that just 40 per cent of the HR professionals surveyed believed they had a […]
Get sporty to enjoy success
Companies that encourage their staff to participate in team sports are more likely to enjoy success and see high levels of staff satisfaction, a survey has revealed.The research, by Standard Chartered Bank, shows that staff who participate in team-based sports are five times more likely to work for a company that has experienced at least […]
Lack of ‘happy bunnies’ sparks second NHS review
A second NHS review in two years aims to win over flagging morale amongst staff but sceptics fear more money and time will be wasted.In an attempt to turn around poor public perception of the National Health Service (NHS) Alan Johnson, health secretary, has announced a further review to be led by Ara Darzi, a […]
HR tip: Personality problem
These questions are being answered by Learn HR, a market leader in the provision of HR and payroll training and nationally-recognised professional qualifications. Question: "One of our supervisors has a dreadful personality for which he has been warned. Can we dismiss him?" HR Tip:You cannot dismiss someone just because you do not like their personality. If […]
Employment numbers to swell as bosses plan recruitment drive
Almost half of UK employers are planning on taking on more staff in the third quarter of 2007.In addition, fueled by a stable economy, a quarter say they plan to add a larger number of employees in the second half of the year compared to the first. Just one in ten won’t be adding to […]
Life swap: Getting the most out of secondments
Secondees used to be a quick-fix for departmental needs but now employees are setting their sights overseas, even on different organisations, to experience new cultures and bring new business ideas and skills back to their firm. But while there are mutual benefits to loaning out staff, Louise Druce discovers that goodwill and trust need to […]
‘Ginger’ payout paves way for new discrimination
A red-headed waitress who suffered taunts for the colour of her hair has been awarded £17,618 compensation in a landmark ruling by an employment tribunal.The payout has sparked fears that ‘gingerism’ could be the latest form of discrimination. According to the Telegraph report, Sarah Primmer worked as a waitress in Plymouth between November 2004 and […]
Software solutions right under your nose
If you’re looking to reduce absence or provide better information to your senior management team, the answer might already be at your fingertips. Chris Berry, managing director of Computers In Personnel, argues that the HR system you already own could do far more than you realise. There’s something strangely contradictory about the way HR professionals […]
Legislation update: Increase of statutory holiday entitlement
Georgina Folkes, solicitor at Withy King, discusses the changes to the draft regulations on statutory holiday entitlement. In July 2006, in line with its commitment to facilitate a better ‘work/life balance’ amongst the UK workforce, the government launched a consultation exercise regarding proposals to increase the minimum holiday entitlement. Presently, all full time workers are […]
Flexible working for carers
Karen Macpherson, partner, Employment, Pensions and Benefits Group at DLA Piper UK, explains the new guidelines for flexible working for carers and what it means for both employees and employers. Since 6 April 2007, a further 2.8 million employees now have a right to request flexible working arrangements as ‘carers’ of adults. They will join […]
Automated absence management and reporting service developed
A multi-channel (utilising telephone, email, text and web technology) automated recording and reporting system has been developed to help employers effectively manage sickness absence. Created by AXA PPP healthcare in association with BT, SAM (Sickness Absence Management) uses sophisticated software to capture, log and analyse data from employees calling in sick. Employees can use the […]
Staff Handbooks/Induction pack
Dear all,I’m currently compiling a staff handbook, which I would like to work hand in hand with the Induction pack.I’m a little concerned that whilst it would be ideal for us to have all our policies and procedures in one unweildy pack. It would most likely put the new starter off from wanting to read […]
